The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation officially opened the 18th Edition of the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF 2026) on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The opening ceremony took place at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown. Organizers described the forum as a critical platform for policy dialogue, regional collaboration, and cooperation on technology and digital development. The five-day forum aims to generate actionable outcomes that advance internet governance, digital inclusion, and innovation across West Africa. This significant gathering shows the region's commitment to harnessing digital technologies for sustainable development and economic prosperity.
Forum Objectives and Activities
The West Africa School on Internet Governance preceded the main forum, convening on May 11–12 at the Miatta Conference Centre. This preparatory event provided foundational knowledge and training for participants, setting the stage for deeper discussions. The forum's opening day then featured four parallel workshops and strategic discussions, addressing various aspects of internet governance. These full activities explored critical topics ranging from policy frameworks to technological advancements. These activities align with the National Telecommunications Commission (NaTCA)'s four core focus areas: strengthening connectivity, advancing innovation, promoting inclusion, and supporting economic growth across the region. NaTCA emphasizes that these pillars are interdependent and key for building a resilient and equitable digital ecosystem in West Africa.
Cybersecurity, regional integration, and digital equity were identified as central pillars of West Africa’s digital transformation efforts. The Minister advocated for aligned governance frameworks and a unified regional approach to these challenges, stressing that collaborative strategies are essential for effective digital development. This vision aims to establish a single digital market within West Africa, fostering greater collaboration and shared progress in the digital sphere. Such a market would facilitate cross-border digital services, enhance trade, and create new opportunities for businesses and citizens alike.
Digital Sovereignty and Connectivity
Digital sovereignty is fundamentally built on physical infrastructure, according to Shadi Gerjawi, CEO of Africell, speaking on behalf of Sierra Leone’s Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Gerjawi stated that countries with strong connectivity are better positioned to compete globally and safeguard their citizens. He elaborated that reliable and widespread internet access forms the bedrock upon which digital economies are built. Expanding connectivity to underserved communities requires sustained investment, supportive government policies, targeted subsidies, and investment-friendly regulatory structures, he added. These measures are critical to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all segments of the population can participate in the digital economy.
Across the region, network expansion has accelerated in recent years, while service prices have significantly declined, making digital access more affordable for many. Mobile money has emerged as a proven financial inclusion model, demonstrating its effectiveness in wider digital adoption by providing essential financial services to previously unbanked populations. However, the region currently possesses limited data center capacity relative to its population, indicating areas for further development. This limitation poses challenges for data storage, processing, and the hosting of local digital services, noting a critical infrastructure gap that needs addressing to support burgeoning digital growth.
Amara Brewah, Director General of the National Telecommunications Commission (NaTCA), clarified that digital sovereignty should not be equated with isolation. Instead, it is framed as strategic participation in the global digital economy on fairer terms. This approach emphasizes the importance of national control over digital policies and infrastructure while remaining interconnected with the global digital landscape. Sierra Leone, in its capacity as Chair of ECOWAS, remains committed to collaborative progress in advancing the region’s digital agenda, working to ensure that West African nations have a strong voice and equitable standing in global digital governance discussions.
Regional Collaboration and Innovation
No African country can address the complexities of the digital economy in isolation, according to the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation. The Minister emphasized that these challenges necessitate a unified regional approach, recognizing that shared problems require shared solutions. In this context, West Africa should aspire to "move beyond being consumers of AI technologies and instead co-design and influence them," the Minister stated, advocating for active participation in shaping emerging digital tools. This proactive stance aims to ensure that AI development is relevant to African contexts and addresses local needs and priorities.
Concerns were raised during the forum regarding the proliferation of misinformation and deep-fakes across global technology platforms. These issues pose significant challenges to information integrity and societal trust within the region, potentially undermining democratic processes and public safety. Discussions noted a persistent monetization gap faced by African content creators. Despite generating substantial global engagement through their work, these creators often lack equitable revenue opportunities, pointing to disparities in the digital economy's value distribution. This imbalance prevents many talented individuals from fully benefiting from their creative endeavors. The forum showed the importance of regional collaboration to address these multifaceted issues and ensure a more inclusive and beneficial digital future for West Africa, one that prioritizes both technological advancement and equitable participation.